Gabriel Basaraba Medical Bills and Expenses

My name is Matthew Basaraba and I am here at the behest of my son Gabriel. (The charming red-headed young man)

In September of 2022, Gabriel started having swollen lymph nodes in his neck. He was taken to several doctors who either said there was nothing wrong or wanted to give him an antibiotic. There was a lot of back and forth with doctors and nothing was taken seriously or tests ran to see what was causing this issue.

In March of 2023, Gabriel was taken to the ENT in Boaz, AL because the nodes were still swollen. Since I was just a year in remission from Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma we were seriously concerned it could be cancer. The doctor walked in, rubbed his neck, said "It isn't cancer" and sent us on our way. No tests, no scans, no nothing, offered to give him a steroid which we declined.

On May 31st, 2023, Gabriel had a Hemiplegic Migraine which has stroke-like symptoms. We rushed him to the emergency room thinking it was a stroke, and finding out it was a serious migraine. We got an appointment with another doctor and demanded referrals to find out what was causing his ailments.

We were referred to a surgeon to investigate his lymph nodes. A node from under his arm was removed and sent for pathology and it was found to be Hodgkins Lymphoma. 3 days later he was taken for a PET scan and when we met with the oncologist we were given the news that the cancer had infected all of his nodes, his spleen, backbone and pelvis.

Gabriel was admitted on 7-31-2023 for his first round of chemotherapy which lasted for 3 days straight. On 8-9-2023 he developed a fever and was taken to the ER where his white count was showing zero and temp almost 101. We spent 4 days of constant antibiotics and transfusions to try to elevate his counts and drop his fever and he was allowed to go home on Sunday.

Who is Gabriel Basaraba? Gabriel is a 17-year-old senior at Etowah High School in Attalla Alabama. He has strived his whole academic career to be the best he can be and is in the strong running for valedictorian. He has stated unequivocally that he will continue his schoolwork in regular classes this school year, and not the typical access classes that wouldn't progress him toward that valedictorian award. 5 days after having his lymph node removed, and waiting to find out if he has cancer or not, he took the ACT and scored a 34! He has a bright and rewarding career ahead of him after he clears this hurdle!

While the majority of the medical bills are being covered by insurance there is so much that we don't even think about, gas, food for parents, cleaning and disinfectant supplies, comfort items, missed days from work, etc. We are having to drive over an hour each way to the hospital 2-3 times per week for treatment and tests. We want to make sure we can take the time off we need to care for our son and get him past this time as best we can. My wife and I are both school teachers and most will realize how dangerous this can be, bringing some type of ailment or infection home from students who come to school not even knowing they are sick yet.

We appreciate all the prayers and support as we navigate this incredibly difficult time in our son's life. He has touched so many people already in his young life and know he has so much more to give. We thank every one of you for giving of yourselves, your financial and moral support!